Captain Tom's ton puts Essex in charge

CAPTAIN Tom Westley’s determined 107 represented his second successive century in the Rothesay County Championship as his Essex side enjoyed a healthy but not dominant day one against relegation rivals Yorkshire at York.

- ECB REPORTERS NETWORK

Former South Africa Test captain Dean Elgar fell narrowly short of scoring his first century of the season, falling for an opening 94 off 248 balls late on during an attritional day which Essex closed on 248 for three from 96 overs.

Westley, who hit 12 fours in 239 balls, shared 198 for the second wicket with left-handed Elgar from early morning to late evening.

The pair came together with the score on 24 during the opening exchanges of a Division One clash which had started with Westley opting to bat first on a glorious Minster City day.

Yorkshire and Essex came into contest separated by 14 points in the table, the former occupying ninth place - the second relegation spot ahead of Worcestershire - and the latter in eighth.

Elgar will be mightily frustrated at not batting through the entire day, while Westley has had quite the week.

Both fell against the second new ball to seamers Will Sutherland and Ben Coad.